Step 2

Paint your nails.

Start with the usual: clean, filed nails and a layer of basecoat. Then paint on two coats of an orangey-coral polish (a summery shade that's sophisticated under gold foil). Give it at least 15 minutes to dry before applying the foil strips.

Step 3

Grab the gold striping tape.

Peel a little bit of the tape away from the roll, so you can stick it to the bottom corner of your nail. Now slowly unwind the tape as you direct it—in a diagonal line—toward the upper corner of the nail. But don't worry if the edges peel or the tape ripples: You can use the tip of the tweezers to tamp them down and flatten any bumps.

Step 4

Step 5

Get fancy.

When you affix the striping tape to the rest of your nails, remember two things. First, it's most interesting when the lines don't all look the same, so create vertical stripes on some nails, X shapes on others, and (if you're feeling ambitious) a chevron design or two. Second, if you're having trouble making clean lines, Scotch tape makes a good straight edge—stick it on your nail and align the striping tape next to it.